Out of Bounds
A win for everyone to savor
Issue date: 10/20/04 Section: Sports
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Adam Walker
Staff Writer
Almost everyone on campus last fall had football fever when the North Greenville football team won six consecutive games en route to a 6-5 record and a Victory Bowl appearance.
Leading up to this past Saturday's homecoming game against Southern Virginia, those six straight wins seemed like a century ago, replaced by six losses in a row this season.
After the Crusaders were blown out several times this season, even I made the remark that the football team was being treated like a mob hit on "The Sopranos." They were getting "whacked."
Losing streaks have been a first-hand experience for myself since my Alma Mater, Landrum High School, did not win a single game my senior year and lost 14 straight games.
I usually talk with several football players in the days leading up to the next football game with most of them expressing the frustrations of losing.
One player who takes another avenue when we talk is wide receiver James Crooks, junior interdisciplinary studies, one of the most popular players on campus.
When I run into Crooks, he displays nothing but confidence for his team no matter if they lost by one or 60 points the Saturday before. That unwavering confidence and exuberance is what makes Crooks a dynamic personality and a great player.
This past Thursday when I saw him, I said, "Hey Crooks. You guys going to get it done this weekend?" His response, "You know it!"
Sure enough, Crooks and the Crusaders did get it done with a near-flawless 59-21 win over Southern Virginia.
To see the team smiling after the win was a thrill for me because I know there will be no frustrations leading up to this week's game at Charleston Southern.
The win was also big for Crusaders head coach Mike Taylor, whose team scored his first victory since rejoining the program.
I also have to give credit to the North Greenville student body for their support of the football team. Some students showed their support with face paint, balloons that eventually blew away in the windy conditions, and one guy who even dressed up in a green dinosaur outfit (whoever you are, you've got guts).
Truly, this was a team effort by the actual team, student body, staff, administration, alumni and supporters. Hopefully, the same thing will happen at the last home game in November.
Staff Writer
Almost everyone on campus last fall had football fever when the North Greenville football team won six consecutive games en route to a 6-5 record and a Victory Bowl appearance.
Leading up to this past Saturday's homecoming game against Southern Virginia, those six straight wins seemed like a century ago, replaced by six losses in a row this season.
After the Crusaders were blown out several times this season, even I made the remark that the football team was being treated like a mob hit on "The Sopranos." They were getting "whacked."
Losing streaks have been a first-hand experience for myself since my Alma Mater, Landrum High School, did not win a single game my senior year and lost 14 straight games.
I usually talk with several football players in the days leading up to the next football game with most of them expressing the frustrations of losing.
One player who takes another avenue when we talk is wide receiver James Crooks, junior interdisciplinary studies, one of the most popular players on campus.
When I run into Crooks, he displays nothing but confidence for his team no matter if they lost by one or 60 points the Saturday before. That unwavering confidence and exuberance is what makes Crooks a dynamic personality and a great player.
This past Thursday when I saw him, I said, "Hey Crooks. You guys going to get it done this weekend?" His response, "You know it!"
Sure enough, Crooks and the Crusaders did get it done with a near-flawless 59-21 win over Southern Virginia.
To see the team smiling after the win was a thrill for me because I know there will be no frustrations leading up to this week's game at Charleston Southern.
The win was also big for Crusaders head coach Mike Taylor, whose team scored his first victory since rejoining the program.
I also have to give credit to the North Greenville student body for their support of the football team. Some students showed their support with face paint, balloons that eventually blew away in the windy conditions, and one guy who even dressed up in a green dinosaur outfit (whoever you are, you've got guts).
Truly, this was a team effort by the actual team, student body, staff, administration, alumni and supporters. Hopefully, the same thing will happen at the last home game in November.